Fiber in New York City

We took a four-day trip to New York City at the tail end of winter. First stop, Loop of the Loom uptown to do some Saori weaving. The shop is filled with small looms—both Saori and others—along with cotton, linen, wool and embellished yarns. Skeins and cones were either naturally-dyed, dyed using shades of indigo, or naturally-colored. Weavers rent time on a loom by the hour, afternoon or day. Instruction is minimal although cones of yarn for use in weaving are abundant. A woven structure on the wall provides a guide toward different weave structures: ribbon weave, fleece inlay, plain weave, tapestry, shadow interlock, float weave, scrap weave, and open window. Staff members assist by answering questions, warping looms, and sewing yardage into cowls and garments. Several young people were weaving on the day we visited. One of the advantages of the Saori loom is that harnesses can be removed from the loom, keeping threading intact, to be woven during subsequent visits.

Back into the streets of New York to venture to a nearby yarn shop—Annie & Company. Yarn, patterns, books, buttons, and knitters fill this enormous shop. A feast! We buy a skein that is space-dyed and wild, peruse patterns, and try on garments. Then, it was on to M&J Trimmings near the theatre district downtown. The shop is loaded with ribbons, laces, and beadwork—a fantastic stop for fiber lovers. Most items are available by the yard. And, oh the buttons! Walls and walls of them organized by color and available in a range of sizes. A quick bite to eat and then it’s off for to Mood Fabrics—the famous fabric store featured on the TV show “Project Runway.” It’s a Saturday and the place is packed! Wow! This many people are sewing? Fantastic! We find entire departments for wools, leathers, cottons, linens and designer fabrics. We go home with our purchases to rest up. But just for a short while. It’s back into town to see a Broadway play. With great costumes.

Finally, a visit to the handmade paper art assemblages of Arlene Morris on view at Figureworks gallery in Brooklyn. A beautifully-renovated new space for owner Randall Harris and a great show. This concludes our whirlwind tour of the City and we’re back to fiber in Maine.

“Fiber Folio” is a creation of Maine Fiberarts

Maine Fiberarts is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing Maine fiber art, craft, farms, schools and business through education, display, celebrations and networking both within Maine and beyond. We host revolving exhibitions, represent fiber art, host studio and farm tours, offer hands-on workshops, maintain photo image libraries, and our website which includes an online up-to-date informative Bulletin on all things fiber. We also maintain the the Maine Fiberarts Resource Guide and Tour Map, a searchable compendium of fiber resources and locations to visit.

Our statewide Maine Fiberarts Tour Map: Studios & Farms (with editions published in 2006 and 2009) and annual Fiber Arts Tour Weekend (2006-2011)—with participants hosting demonstrations at open studios/farms across the State—created a model and set trends which many other local and regional organizations follow.

We maintain a networking Center and Gallery at 13 Main Street in Topsham, in Midcoast Maine (north of Portland, Freeport and Brunswick and west of Bath). Hours and activities are posted at www.mainefiberarts.org. Come visit!

Our goals include fostering greater opportunities for artists and fiber producers to exhibit work, to make sales, to work as apprentices and mentors, to teach craftmaking skills, to be awarded school residencies, to find guilds and study groups, to learn about events, to become better connected and to champion Maine fiber art to Maine residents and visitors.

About “Fiber Folio”

“Fiber Folio" is a project of Maine Fiberarts and is meant to serve as a living journal—a photo-illustrated tour through Maine art and farms. Fiber Folio is made possible with funding from Maine Fiberarts’ members and friends. Thank you, sponsors! Contributions are tax deductible. Become a member or a supporter, and visit us in Topsham.